OLW - a sympathetic challenge ...

... this week the OLW challenge is being hosted by Susan over at Simplicity.  Susan wants us to make a sympathy card but we're not allowed to use flowers or trees!!  Now most of the sympathy cards I've made recently have featured flowers and/or trees, they seem to be the standard on a sympathy card.  I need to make some sympathy cards for my stash, as I've used up all the ones I've made recently.

Well, the first decision was to work out what to use on my card.  I spent a while browsing through my Stamp catalogue and came across a beautiful stamp from Stampin' Up!  I've used it a lot, but it's not designed with sympathy in mind.  However, the shape lends itself beautifully to a sympathy card.

The stamp is from the Serene Snowflakes set and while it's designed for Christmas, the strong central cross image works well on a sympathy card too.  I opted for a softer cream base card and stamped the frame using my stamp-a-ma-jig (absolutely essential for correct positioning).  Then I inked up the stamp with pale lavender, positioned the image with the stamp-a-ma-jig and done!  To get the darker colour on the central cross, I inked the whole image and then very, very carefully removed the dark ink from the filigree designs - lined it all up with the stamp-a-ma-jig and stamped.  Thankfully, it worked!!  Finally, I added a simple sentiment in the dark purple ink.

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! - Serene Snowflakes; Waltzing Mouse Stamps - Frame-It
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black; Distress - Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord

I'm going to be busy in my craft room today, as I've got several cards to prepare for upcoming CR84FN challenges - but you'll have to be patient for them!!  If you haven't made a card for this week's colour challenge, CR84FN22, do check out the colours - green, kraft and brown - they're fab!!  Finally, I do hope to make a card for the Waltzing Mouse SOAP CASE competition - details here!  Check back later!!